NFL Betting Odds: Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins

Written by Jimmy Boyd on August 11, 2006

If we were gauging off of the preseason performances of the Vikings and Redskins then Minnesota would be an easy pick here with the NFL odds at +4.5 against the Redskins whose defense has looked horrendous. However, the regular season is a completely different ball of wax and you can expect to see a solid Washington defense at home in this one.

Washington does have a big concern with the possibility that tailback Clinton Portis might not play in the opener because of a shoulder injury. Last season, Portis set a Washington franchise record with 1,516 yards. If he isn’t able to go, you will see a steady dose of former Iowa standout Ladell Betts who has great feet but lacks Portis’ explosiveness.

It will be up to new offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who comes over from Kansas City, to turn Washington into a more deadly offensive team. Newly acquired wide outs Antwaan Randel El and Brandon Lloyd along with Santana Moss and Chris Cooley should go along way in making Washington’s passing game something to fear.

Brad Childress takes over in Minnesota for Mike Tice and he’s trying to change the culture of a team that has been riddled with off-the-field issues. We know what the Vikes have in quarterback Brad Johnson. Johnson is as consistent a passer as there is in the NFL and he is a great managers of offenses. We’ve seen in everywhere he’s been and he proved last season, despite being 37 years old, that he can still win football games.

Washington’s passing attack will be improved with offensive coordinator Al Saunders calling the shots as he was used to a similar situation in Kansas City working out a balance between Trent Greene and Priest Holmes/Larry Johnson. We can expect to see Washington run some more screen plays like we saw a lot of in K.C. However, don’t expect Washington’s passing game to be a well-oiled machine from the get go. Minnesota’s secondary is their strongest defensive unit with Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper, Antoine Winfield, Dwight Smith, and Fred Smoot. They will be a challenge for the Skins in this one.

The Redskins appear to have the better team, but with Clinton Portis not at full strength and a new offensive system to adjust to, Washington will have some cobwebs to get out on the offensive side of the football. Minnesota plays smart and Johnson doesn’t turn the ball over. So I’ll take a small play on the Vikes +4.5 in this one for one of my free NFL picks this week.

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